New Zealand weighs formal mutual-defence commitment with Australia and Fiji

The government will explore joining the Ocean of Peace Alliance, a defence pact Australia and Fiji signed on 9 July. The treaty commits signatories to "act to meet common danger" — binding language that marks a departure from New Zealand's traditional preference for flexible bilateral agreements. Cabinet has not yet decided whether to accept full membership or seek a looser association. Defence Minister Chris Penk framed potential involvement within existing bilateral cooperation with Fiji.